Fleming on Obama’s Latest Military Cuts

The Obama Administration has been shameless in slashing spending for our national defense.

Congressman John Fleming, M.D., released the following statement following the announcement of proposed cuts in defense spending by the Secretary of Defense:

“Louisianians frequently ask me: ‘Why does it seem like the military is almost always the first to get hit with spending cuts?’ With all of the waste in federal spending, with the desperate need for reform in entitlement spending, and with Obamacare now projected to cost $2 trillion over ten years, why is it that President Obama and Washington Democrats see the Defense Department as their go-to agency for spending cuts? Our men and women in uniform and the security of the American people seem to take the hardest hits whenever this president talks about reductions in spending.

“The Obama Administration has been shameless in slashing our national defense. This new proposal would leave us with the smallest Army since just before the buildup for World War II, and dangerously close to a level that military generals have warned is too low. Those who remain in the military would see lower housing allowances and higher health care costs. The Obama plan would also cut an Air Force fleet and an aircraft carrier, and his leadership at the Pentagon is urging Congress to institute another round of BRAC because of the cuts.

“The primary Constitutional responsibility of the President of the United States and the U.S. Congress is to protect our nation. This president may not take that job seriously, but I do, and I will continue to fight against his slashing of our forces and their capabilities, and work to protect our men and women in uniform and their families.”

Dr. John Fleming is Chairman of the Natural Resources Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, Oceans and Insular Affairs and is a member of the House Armed Services Committee. He is a physician and small business owner and represents the 4th Congressional District of Louisiana.